IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jotrge/v76y2019icp142-152.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Active travel for active ageing in China: The role of built environment

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng, Long
  • Chen, Xuewu
  • Yang, Shuo
  • Cao, Zhan
  • De Vos, Jonas
  • Witlox, Frank

Abstract

China has been witnessing prominent demographic ageing because of its sustained low fertility (one-child policy) and mortality rates. In 2017, nearly one in four elderly adults in the world live in China. The rapid increase of the elderly population is supposed to dramatically influence the urban and transportation system. Active travel plays an important role for the ageing Chinese population to sustain their mobility and wellbeing. To provide suitable policy implications for age-friendly travel environments in China, this study investigates how the built environment affects active travel behavior. Particularly, we explore the influences of built environment on daily active travel frequency and time expenditure while taking into account travel attitudes. A zero-inflated ordered probit model and a Cox proportional hazards model are respectively estimated based on the Nanjing Travel Survey data. Results show that the social and cultural contexts exert pronounced impacts on the travel pattern of Chinese older people. Specifically, it is found that the living pattern of co-residence, and the proximity to market, park/square, and chess/card room are influential in shaping active travel patterns. In addition, the built environment shows larger effects on the active travel behavior of older adults than on that of young people. Attitudes towards active travel are not significant in explaining the senior's travel behavior, indicating limited self-selection effects. The findings will offer insights to establish effective and appropriate land use strategies and public facility distribution for the elderly during the Chinese urban renewal process.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Long & Chen, Xuewu & Yang, Shuo & Cao, Zhan & De Vos, Jonas & Witlox, Frank, 2019. "Active travel for active ageing in China: The role of built environment," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 142-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:76:y:2019:i:c:p:142-152
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.03.010
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692318306355
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.03.010?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Moniruzzaman, Md & Páez, Antonio, 2016. "An investigation of the attributes of walkable environments from the perspective of seniors in Montreal," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 85-96.
    2. van den Berg, Pauline & Arentze, Theo & Timmermans, Harry, 2011. "Estimating social travel demand of senior citizens in the Netherlands," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 323-331.
    3. Scheiner, Joachim, 2010. "Social inequalities in travel behaviour: trip distances in the context of residential self-selection and lifestyles," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 679-690.
    4. Reid Ewing & Robert Cervero, 2010. "Travel and the Built Environment," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(3), pages 265-294.
    5. Mercado, Ruben & Páez, Antonio, 2009. "Determinants of distance traveled with a focus on the elderly: a multilevel analysis in the Hamilton CMA, Canada," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 65-76.
    6. Pettersson, Pierre & Schmöcker, Jan-Dirk, 2010. "Active ageing in developing countries? – trip generation and tour complexity of older people in Metro Manila," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 613-623.
    7. Banister, David & Bowling, Ann, 2004. "Quality of life for the elderly: the transport dimension," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 105-115, April.
    8. Baldwin Hess, Daniel, 2009. "Access to Public Transit and Its Influence on Ridership for Older Adults in Two U.S. Cities," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 2(1), pages 3-27.
    9. Lars Böcker & Patrick Amen & Marco Helbich, 2017. "Elderly travel frequencies and transport mode choices in Greater Rotterdam, the Netherlands," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 831-852, July.
    10. Feng, Jianxi & Dijst, Martin & Wissink, Bart & Prillwitz, Jan, 2013. "The impacts of household structure on the travel behaviour of seniors and young parents in China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 117-126.
    11. Jonas De Vos & Tim Schwanen & Veronique Van Acker & Frank Witlox, 2013. "Travel and Subjective Well-Being: A Focus on Findings, Methods and Future Research Needs," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(4), pages 421-442, July.
    12. Cao, Jason & Ettema, Dick, 2014. "Satisfaction with travel and residential self-selection: How do preferences moderate the impact of the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit line?," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 7(3), pages 93-108.
    13. Tim Schwanen & Martin Dijst & Frans M. Dieleman, 2001. "Leisure trips of senior citizens: determinants of modal choice," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 92(3), pages 347-360, August.
    14. Jonas De Vos & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Tim Schwanen & Veronique Van Acker & Frank Witlox, 2016. "Travel mode choice and travel satisfaction: bridging the gap between decision utility and experienced utility," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(5), pages 771-796, September.
    15. Sandra Rosenbloom, 2001. "Sustainability and automobility among the elderly: An international assessment," Transportation, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 375-408, November.
    16. Mifsud, Deborah & Attard, Maria & Ison, Stephen, 2017. "To drive or to use the bus? An exploratory study of older people in Malta," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 23-32.
    17. Susanne Nordbakke & Tim Schwanen, 2015. "Transport, unmet activity needs and wellbeing in later life: exploring the links," Transportation, Springer, vol. 42(6), pages 1129-1151, November.
    18. Graham Currie & Alexa Delbosc, 2010. "Exploring public transport usage trends in an ageing population," Transportation, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 151-164, January.
    19. Hjorthol, Randi J. & Levin, Lena & Sirén, Anu, 2010. "Mobility in different generations of older persons," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 624-633.
    20. Dick Ettema & Tim Schwanen & Harry Timmermans, 2007. "The effect of location, mobility and socio-demographic factors on task and time allocation of households," Transportation, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 89-105, January.
    21. Alsnih, Rahaf & Hensher, David A., 2003. "The mobility and accessibility expectations of seniors in an aging population," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 37(10), pages 903-916, December.
    22. Figueroa, Maria J. & Nielsen, Thomas A. Sick & Siren, Anu, 2014. "Comparing urban form correlations of the travel patterns of older and younger adults," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 10-20.
    23. Timo Ohnmacht & Konrad Götz & Helmut Schad, 2009. "Leisure mobility styles in Swiss conurbations: construction and empirical analysis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 36(2), pages 243-265, March.
    24. Schmöcker, Jan-Dirk & Quddus, Mohammed A. & Noland, Robert B. & Bell, Michael G.H., 2008. "Mode choice of older and disabled people: a case study of shopping trips in London," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 257-267.
    25. Trevor Hanson & Eric Hildebrand, 2011. "Can rural older drivers meet their needs without a car? Stated adaptation responses from a GPS travel diary survey," Transportation, Springer, vol. 38(6), pages 975-992, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Yongjiang & Sasaki, Kuniaki & Cheng, Long & Tao, Sui, 2022. "Does the built environment matter for active travel among older adults: Insights from Chiba City, Japan," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Su, Rongxiang & Xiao, Jingyi & McBride, Elizabeth C. & Goulias, Konstadinos G., 2021. "Understanding senior's daily mobility patterns in California using human mobility motifs," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    3. Lars Böcker & Patrick Amen & Marco Helbich, 2017. "Elderly travel frequencies and transport mode choices in Greater Rotterdam, the Netherlands," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 831-852, July.
    4. Kaniz Fatima & Sara Moridpour & Tayebeh Saghapour, 2021. "Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Elderly Public Transport Mode Preference," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Ahmad, Zaheer & Batool, Zahara & Starkey, Paul, 2019. "Understanding mobility characteristics and needs of older persons in urban Pakistan with respect to use of public transport and self-driving," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 181-190.
    6. Samira Ramezani & Tiina Laatikainen & Kamyar Hasanzadeh & Marketta Kyttä, 2021. "Shopping trip mode choice of older adults: an application of activity space and hybrid choice models in understanding the effects of built environment and personal goals," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 505-536, April.
    7. Soltani, Ali & Pojani, Dorina & Askari, Sajad & Masoumi, Houshmand E., 2018. "Socio-demographic and built environment determinants of car use among older adults in Iran," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 109-117.
    8. Shao, Fengjing & Sui, Yi & Yu, Xiang & Sun, Rencheng, 2019. "Spatio-temporal travel patterns of elderly people – A comparative study based on buses usage in Qingdao, China," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 178-190.
    9. Mifsud, Deborah & Attard, Maria & Ison, Stephen, 2017. "To drive or to use the bus? An exploratory study of older people in Malta," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 23-32.
    10. Ravensbergen, Léa & Newbold, K Bruce & Ganann, Rebecca & Sinding, Christina, 2021. "‘Mobility work’: Older adults' experiences using public transportation," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    11. Saidatulakmal Mohd & Abdul Rais Abdul Latiff & Abdelhak Senadjki, 2019. "Travel Behavior of Elderly in George Town and Malacca, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-20, September.
    12. Boschmann, E. Eric & Brady, Sylvia A., 2013. "Travel behaviors, sustainable mobility, and transit-oriented developments: a travel counts analysis of older adults in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 1-11.
    13. Hahn, Jin-Seok & Kim, Hyoung-Chul & Kim, Joon-Ki & Ulfarsson, Gudmundur F., 2016. "Trip making of older adults in Seoul: Differences in effects of personal and household characteristics by age group and trip purpose," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 55-62.
    14. Mitra, Suman & Yao, Mingqi & Ritchie, Stephen G., 2021. "Gender differences in elderly mobility in the United States," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 203-226.
    15. Hitomi Nakanishi & John Black, 2015. "Social Sustainability Issues and Older Adults’ Dependence on Automobiles in Low-Density Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-21, June.
    16. Moniruzzaman, Md. & Páez, Antonio & Nurul Habib, Khandker M. & Morency, Catherine, 2013. "Mode use and trip length of seniors in Montreal," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 89-99.
    17. Olawole, Moses Olaniran & Aloba, Oluwole, 2014. "Mobility characteristics of the elderly and their associated level of satisfaction with transport services in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 105-116.
    18. Timothée Cuignet & Camille Perchoux & Geoffrey Caruso & Olivier Klein & Sylvain Klein & Basile Chaix & Yan Kestens & Philippe Gerber, 2020. "Mobility among older adults: Deconstructing the effects of motility and movement on wellbeing," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(2), pages 383-401, February.
    19. He, Sylvia Y. & Cheung, Yannie H.Y. & Tao, Sui, 2018. "Travel mobility and social participation among older people in a transit metropolis: A socio-spatial-temporal perspective," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 608-626.
    20. Urbanek, Anna & Acedański, Jan & Krawczyk, Grzegorz, 2023. "Depopulation or ageing? Decomposing the aggregate effects of projected demographic changes on urban transport systems," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:76:y:2019:i:c:p:142-152. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-transport-geography .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.